I’ve been reading more sf than non-fiction lately. I probably have a few more books to add to my to-read list after reviewing the sf site’s top 10 list.

I’ve just finished the first novel of Scott Lynch, The Lies of Locke Lamora, reviewed here. It’s gritty, well-plotted, well-characterized, and just an engrossing fantasy read. A warning to the faint of heart: there is graphic violence depicted, including torture. If you can stomach the suffering, believers among you might find the construction of religion in the book interesting. The band of thieves make use of the religious practices associated with the thirteen gods of various traditions to assist in their confidence games. Ultimately, the depiction of faith and virtue is minimal. This is a story about a very brutal place that needs a good dose of compassion. Recognizing that it’s only fiction and not a blueprint for living, I can recommend this as an extremely well-written novel.

I’m currently turning the pages of Jo Walton‘s Farthing, a mystery set in post-WWII England. However, it’s an England which ousted Churchill from power during the Blitz and made peace with Hitler. The point of view alternates between Lucy, the well-born wife who has stepped into a good bit of scorn for marrying a Jew, and the police inspector who is unwilling to accept that a clumsy-looking murder pointing at Lucy’s husband is all that it seems. Check out the sf site review here; it was their number 7 of ’06.

I see that sf site’s #3 is waiting in line after my current read. Tim Powers is a fine author, and I’ve never been disappointed in anything of his I’ve read.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.